1. I'm glad to have woke up today so I could live another day & try some more.

2. To have found support from this group,I need/ needed it.

3.Early this morning I went to a casino,because my wife and I used to go & I needed to leave home,for a purpose aside from food or doctor appointment. So I went intending to loose 40$; well I lost 38.00; and was getting rid of the last 2 dollars when the slot machine made a noise,hit 777 and paid out 465.50 ＼(^o^)／ . I felt like , I could feel my wife 'smirk' as I left ivmediatly.

1. Took both daughters to brunch and a holiday theatre matinee performance. We are going to make this a yearly tradition. 2. Stores are open 24 hours so I shopped at midnight on Friday with no crowds and finished my shopping. I was able to get a present gift wrapped for free at one store so less to wrap.3. Spent 5 hours Saturday reconnecting with a high school classmate who lives near my new home. She grew up with Dan so it was fabulous to reminisce.

TooSoon

1) I managed to put up and take down a Christmas tree by 12/20 and pull off history's lamest story as to why Santa came last night (see below).

2) We are leaving for 2 weeks in England tomorrow with adp and his family, new traditions!

3) And of course, you all. What in the #$%^&* would I have done and do without you all these past three years? I marvel. I told my father in law, also a widower, about you all on Saturday and he teared up. Not sure why but I'm sure in part that he was grateful I found a community to help me through. I'm grateful for him, too. He gets it. Anyway....

1) worked my 12 hour shift today, and I don't work again for almost two weeks!2) had five final exams this past week and aced them all, and have a three week break from school!3) and I want to echo TooSoon, grateful for this place with people who "get it"

1. Christmas program at church for the kids 11 and under. So sweet! It was my day to volunteer in the 2nd and 3rd graders room. I escorted the kids to the stage in the sanctuary. Then helped give their lesson afterwards. My daughter looks forward to me being in her room.

2. Talked to a friend I haven't talked to in awhile. Nice catching up with him.

3. Best part of my day was hearing another friend tell me his cancer cell count was really low. He has multiple myeloma. He's eager to get through his next round of chemo. I'm getting together a care package for him from multiple friends that I plan on delivering this week. People are making meals to freeze, sweets, a cheese ball, dips, and I'm going to pick up some gift cards. He's a great guy and was my husbands best friend in school, 2nd grade through senior year. He's been through a lot. Before being diagnosed he had a work related accident, several reconstructive surgeries, and then a divorce. His wife left when he was diagnosed.

1. Got a $25 gift card from a co worker today ...that will buy dinner tonight and tomorrow, and thankfully SS is weds.2. A patient gave me a candle that smells like Christmas trees.3. ........ well. ... maybe later ........

Logged

I can't look at the stars they make me wonder where you are. Stars.... up on heaven's boulevard And if I know you at all I know you've gone too far So I .... I can't look at the stars --Grace Potter

I am so grateful to you all for joining me again in this, massive respect to all of you who choose to keep on keeping on every day, you are all so inspirational.

1. My new job is in a pretty posh school and it had not occurred to me before today what that would mean for Christmas gifts for the teacher! Wow, I have not opened them yet and maybe some are just crap in designer bags but I don't think so!

2. The view from my classroom window this morning was spectacular, I can't share it as I am posting from my phone this evening but the sunrise over Calton Hill in Edinburgh was glorious.

3. Went out this evening to a noodle bar with a lovely friend, she lets me feel sorry for myself just the right amount before stopping me.

1. Ran errands yesterday and not a Grinch to be seen.2. Christmas caroling with boys youth group at nursing homes last night. 3. My teaching evaluation for 1st semester was a joyful early Christmas gift.

1. I woke up with a positive attitude towards the future,I feel crisp so to speak.

2.My current living situation ,I've allowed to get me down mentally, well I feel this will change for the better,simply because I've made a mental note to myself: Only I care about myself & my future and I must make the best of those things at all cost.3.Yesterday I ran into a local lady who expressed interest in talking & stuff,kinda made me feel I'm of some value & I needed that connection & boost.

1. Tumor has shrunk. Not as much as I wanted ... I had been praying this was the round we'd say I could stop the drugs. Not so lucky but as my friend said at least it's a step in the right direction.2. What I thought was a $25 gift card yesterday ended up being a $50. More groceries!!!!3. Tomorrow is finally SS day and I will be able to get a present or two for my kids to have for Christmas.

1) I woke up sore from doing a dance class last night, but that's good because I finally got off my ass and did some exercise :-)2) Although work hasn't been slow like I was expecting, what I'm doing today has been really interesting3) New Girl and her parents have invited me to spend new year with them. It's so lovely that they're not scared of me being a widow

1. Last day of teaching before the holidays! This has been a very stressful start to my new job as we were inspected and I have been working 70-110 hours a week. I am going to try very hard to relax some with my two weeks off now.

2. My daughter and new son in law arrived this evening for Christmas and we had a lovely evening together playing board games.

3. This morning the whole school went to the cathedral nearby for a carol service, it was lovely.

* Huge mess someone else has made got sorted today by my youngest daughter and I, I am very grateful to her for helping me avert a mini crisis.